Romanian Ex-Nurse Becomes England's Most Appreciated Gardener

Iulia Sorohan left her native Romania with her husband and infant daughter, planning a one-year stay in England. Eight years later, the former nurse has not only found a new home but also a thriving career as a gardening influencer.

“

In 2018, we came to Maidstone (southeast England), together with my husband and our little daughter, who was only three months old. The plan was to stay for just one year, then return home. However, in a short time, my perspective changed completely.

Sorohan, originally from Brasov, now runs the popular Facebook page "Grădina din UK" (The Garden in the UK), which has garnered nearly 60,000 followers. She shared with Gazeta UK that her initial move to Maidstone in southeast England was meant to be a temporary experience. However, the welcoming mentality, open people, and abundant opportunities for personal and professional growth in the UK quickly changed her perspective.

"I started to love this country and everything it offers," Sorohan stated. "I discovered a different mentality, open people, and numerous opportunities for development, both personally and professionally. That's when I understood that this is where we want to build our future."

“

I started to love this country and everything it offers. I discovered a different mentality, open people, and numerous opportunities for development, both personally and professionally. That's when I understood that this is where we want to build our future.

Her journey into gardening began with a desire to provide healthy food for her daughter during the early stages of weaning. "When my daughter started diversifying her diet, I planted a few vegetables in the backyard garden, wanting to offer her the healthiest food possible. That's how it all started," she recalled.

“

When my daughter started diversifying her diet, I planted a few vegetables in the backyard garden, wanting to offer her the healthiest food possible. That's how it all started.

Discovering the British allotment system, where local authorities rent plots to gardening enthusiasts, proved transformative. After an eight-month wait, she secured her first plot, followed by another the next year. Even after a recent move to a rural area, which initially caused concern about finding new gardening spaces, she was quickly allocated two more plots, reinforcing her feeling of belonging.

“

Today, gardening means much more to me than growing vegetables. It is a passion, a form of relaxation, a way to reconnect with nature and find my balance. Every season I learn something new, I experiment, and I like to share the joy of discovery with others.